Saturday, December 23. 2017

It has come to my attention that an anonymous benefactor is offering a grant of $5,000.00 for the restoration of the Steam Departments UP 428 to operation. He would like to see this steam engine in operation for the 2019 season. He told me that this is in effect for one month starting today, December 23, 2017.

As Jimmy Stewart said.....Merry Christmas....... you old 428

Lets get her steamed up again

Whether you are considering a donation to the Steam Dept or another museum project please consider this Challenge Grant. It is called Challenge UP 428. If the museum can raise $10,000.00 he believes this will cover much of the machine work on the running gear and wheel bearings. Step up and help with this project. With the new tax reforms almost in place it might be to ones advantage to take a larger deduction this year! Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy NEW YEAR to you all Thanks Roger Kramer

Sunday, December 17. 2017

Here is a Christmas update of the Steam Department from my point of view. Some major accomplishment have happen in the last three months. Among those were the first operation of our 90 inch wheel lathe, the final painting of the Rock Island Pacific 938 and smoke box completion on the shay.

In this photo Phil has almost completed the painting of the RI Pacific. It took a lot of team members to accomplish this task.

A side view. Please notice the grey firebox That was all painted by hand hand using a mixure of graphic and linseed oil.

This 90 inch lathe was built by the Putman Machine Works. Heres the very first time it was operated under power.

Another milestone has been reached in the Steam department. The first electrical operation of our 90 inch wheel lathe. To my knowledge only three or four other RR museum have a large wheel such as ours. This is quite an accomplishment. We now can begin to plan for the turning of the driving wheels for the UP 428. This has long been the one of the roadblocks to restoring the engine to operation. What's the other you ask? One Word... MONEY!! Please consider a donation to the UP 428 fund! This is the next engine to operate at Irm! With your help we can make it happen.

One of three huge electric motors in operation

This is a side view of the lathe. Please notice the jaws. They are really big. This is where the driving wheels will be secured in order to have the steel contour reshaped

Rock Island 938 is now stored in steam barn

This was another fall Accomplishment. The RI 938 sure looks magnificent since the cosmetic restoration. Yet to be installed are the marker lights. Phil has told me they are working on the lighting circuit in order to display the head light and markers. Now that would look real Kool!

Picture of Toledo and Detroit 16

The steam shop resident welder, Dennis, here is straightening a support rod for the IC 3345. You may have seen the article in the latest Rail and Wire.

Charley and his Dad, Paul

The shop forces have again separated the locomotive from the tender inorder to remove the drawbars.

The three 1630 drawbars have been removed so that they can be tested for any cracks that may have developed over the operating season.

Just this last weekend the front pilot of the 1630 was repainted

Side view of the 1630. Rods down shot

New this coming 2018 season will be the celebration of the 100 anniversary of the 1630s manufacture date. Yes, she was built by Baldwin in 1918. A special party is being planned for the engine. Special events might include a visit from a mainline fan trip steam engine! Stay tuned for future announcements!

A special Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all. I hope you all are looking forward to the new year as I am. A number of new and exciting events are planned for the 2018. If you haven't visited us for awhile please plan a trip to Irm this coming year. Hope to see you at the museum! Thanks Roger

Wednesday, December 13. 2017

Boy, this last weekend was the busiest to date for the Happy Holiday Railway. I was one of crew on the Sunday train and it was non stop action from 1pm to 6 45 pm. Boys and Girls, Moms and Dads were loading and unloading into the CNW Bi levels that entire time span. The crews and helpers were constantly in motion. Whether it was assisting passengers in and out of the coaches, filling hot chocolate into drinking cups or operating the fantastic CNW diesel we kept at it. We were all quite tired and cold by the time the day had come to an end. Here all more pictures showing you the various crowds and supporting activities.

Inside the diner where the cookies are sorted into carrying baskets. They are then transported to the various coaches for handout.

inside the diner where Bob Opal is entertaining the crowd with his one man orchestra singing all kinds of tunes.

The crowds inside the Schroeder store. Dave Diamond sure did a tremendous job preparing the store for this event. It sure makes a big difference!

More interior activity in the Schroeder store. Boy was it nice and warm in there!

Crowds arriving for the train

Christmas train arriving into the loading area

Happy Holiday Train traveling to the North Pole en route to see Santa

Ray and Madison

Inside our North Pole coach

The large crowd outside

Santa asking the boys and girls what they want for Christmas and have they been naughty or nice!

Paul Cronin visiting with our customers.

And that's the way it is...
This next week will be even busier. Its going to be a little warmer and its also the last weekend for the event. It should be fun! And HO HO HO
Thanks Roger

Friday, December 1. 2017

Our 2017 Happy Holiday Rail themed event has been a success so far. Here are just a few of the many festive decorations at the museum. We also have a large membership participation this year.

Inside our dinner.

All decorated for xmas

Along the windowed wall. Boy does that look festive. It puts you in the season

Bob and Mike taking a break from greeting our visitors at our new entrance.

Henry was taking a minute away from running our Lionel xmas train. It was a positive experience enjoyed by all the boys and girls.

A view of the cash stations and those who smile, John Jr. and Madison, when helping the public.

Interior of the newly opened Schroeder store.

Henry, Jan, John Jr. and Madison

The event has been a rather successful so far but the next two weekend will put the museum to the test. The weather has already changed and it beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with COLD weather has set in and maybe a touch of snow on the horizon. HO! HO! HO! Thanks Roger

Kirk Warner about More Mt Harvard PaintingThu, 08-23-2018 08:16Lots of hard work going into
achieving the nice finishes that
are being applied. The finished
product looks great! Is any of
your team still working [...]

Matt Maloy about Update... 428Wed, 08-22-2018 14:38If you want to keep up on the
Electric Department, Ted, I'd
recommend looking up the Hick Car
Works. A couple members from the
IRM Electric Car Dept [...]